Development of functional polymer-based materials for special technological applications

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The main objective of this research proposal is to develop and characterize new high performance functional materials based on polymer composites and nanocomposites particularly used for hydrogen fuel cells, piezoelectric sensors and photovoltaic cell devices. We already developed bipolar plate and electrode prototypes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells and we will use new nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes and graphene, in order to investigate their synergetic effect as conductive fillers to decrease bipolar plate thickness and improve its mechanical properties and electrical conductivity. Our expertise in fluorescence technique will be explored to characterize (for the first time) the evolution of the electrical conductivity the nanocomposites during their processing. We will also focus on improving the compatibility between new membranes and electrodes developed in our Lab by synthesizing new compatibilizers from the same monomers used in the synthesis of these membranes. Our research will also focus on the development of new low cost/high-performance photoactive materials based on semiconductive polymers and specific nanomaterials. We recently developed simple routes to synthesize various kinds of semiconductive lead sulfide nanoparticles of controlled structures. These nanoparticles will be used to develop new nanocomposite photovoltaic flexible films of high photon capture and charge transfer toward cell electrodes. Cell prototypes will be developed and characterized for their conversion efficiency. We are presently in an early stage of a new project on the development of flexible piezoelectric cellular films using original processing techniques. We will optimize these processes to develop and stabilize the cellular structure of the films. Also, we will optimize charge storage, which allows giving the piezoelectric character de the developed films. Finally, we will evaluate the impact of film heat treatment on the piezoelectric and mechanical properties of the developed cellular films.